L-1A Visa
USA, executive transfer
L-1A — a US visa for the intracompany transfer of an executive or manager from a foreign office of the company to a division in the USA.
- What it is
- L-1A — a US visa for transferring an executive to a company’s US office
- Who it is for
- Executives and senior managers of international companies
- Condition
- Work in a foreign office and a related company in the US
- Advantage
- Leads to a green card in the EB-1C category
- Can you prepare
- Yes: build the structure and evidence the role
In plain words
L-1A is a US visa for intracompany transfers: it allows an international company to transfer an executive or manager from a foreign office to its US office. It is an employment rather than an investment route, but for business owners and senior managers it often becomes the road to living and working in America.
The key conditions: the applicant must have worked for the foreign company in an executive or managerial position (usually for at least one year out of the last three), and there must be a related company in the US — a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate. If there is no US company yet, L-1A allows a new office to be opened and an executive transferred there to develop the business locally.
The main value of L-1A is its prospects: this visa leads to a green card in the prestigious EB-1C category for multinational executives, often without the laborious labour market test. That is why L-1A is chosen by entrepreneurs who want not just to come but to establish themselves in the US and obtain permanent status. It is important to build the corporate structure properly and evidence the executive role.
Who L-1A suits
What matters about L-1A
- An executive role
- A year in a foreign office
- A related company in the US
- Managers
- Business owners
- Senior managers
- A path to a green card
- The EB-1C category
- Often without a labour market test
- Genuine activity
- Corporate structure
- Evidence of the role
How to obtain L-1A
- 01Assessing the structure and role
- 02Preparing the company documents
- 03Filing the petition
- 04Review
- 05The visa and the path to a green card
What you need to know
- L-1A is a visa for transferring an executive to a US office
- A related company in the US and executive experience are required
- It allows a new office to be opened and a manager transferred
- Leads to a green card in the EB-1C category
- Often without a laborious labour market test
Common mistakes
- Claiming an executive role without real management
- Opening an “empty” company in the US with no activity
- Not establishing the link between the foreign and US firms
- Underestimating the requirements for evidencing experience
- Not planning the move to a green card in advance
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We help entrepreneurs and managers obtain an L-1A visa: we build the corporate structure, evidence the executive role and the link between the companies, and plan the move to an EB-1C green card. That way you do not just come to the US but establish yourself there with the prospect of permanent status for yourself and your family.
Frequently asked questions
01 /What is the L-1A visa?
A US visa for the intracompany transfer of an executive or manager from a company’s foreign office to its US office.
02 /Who does L-1A suit?
Business owners and senior managers of international companies with executive experience and a related company in the US.
03 /Can a new company be opened in the US?
Yes. L-1A allows a new office to be opened and an executive transferred there to develop the business locally — one of the popular scenarios.
04 /Does L-1A lead to a green card?
Yes, to a green card in the prestigious EB-1C category for multinational executives, often without the laborious labour market test.
05 /What experience is required?
Usually at least one year in an executive or managerial position with the foreign company out of the last three years, plus a genuine link between the firms.
06 /Can the family come too?
Yes, the spouse and children receive derivative status. The spouse can also obtain permission to work in the US.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Business and life in the US?
We will build the structure for an L-1A visa and the path to an EB-1C green card — so that you establish yourself in the US with your family.